Why Give Preference To One Country? Supreme Court Asks Centre

New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Friday interrogated the Centre for its dual stand as it allowed two Italian marines accused of shooting two Kerala fishermen to be released while a French woman who is accused of having a role in the murder of a Chilean senator has not been released yet despite an undertaking by the French Embassy.

A bench headed by Justice Kurian Joseph observed: “What can be your problem if the French government is willing to stand surety for this lady by giving its undertaking? You let the foreign national (Italian marines) in the other case go back to their country on the basis of such an undertaking. If you respect Italian government then you should also respect French government.”

However, Additional Solicitor General, P S Patwalia who represented the Ministry of External Affairs, argued against the release of French national Marie Emmanuelle Verhoeven.

The 55-year-old Marie Emmanuelle Verhoeven has allegedly participated in the assassination of Chilean senator Jamie Guzman Errazuriz on April 1, 1991. Verhoeven, however, maintained that she was falsely implicated because of her association with the special human rights mission.

Patwalia maintained that Verhoeven may flee India once she is released adding that the Chilean authorities have asked India to detain her so that she can be extradited.

"India should have respect for every country equally. Why give preference to one country? You have done it for one government. You should also respect Italian government. After all, it is a comity of nations," the bench said.

Senior advocate, T r Andhyarujina appearing on behalf of the French national asked for mercy citing Verhoeven’s old age.

“On September 21, the Delhi High Court had quashed proceedings to arrest her for extradition, but she was rearrested after the decision of the government to ratify an 118-year-old treaty to enable her extradition to Chile. Allow her to come out of jail on whatever conditions you consider right,” Andhyarujina said.

(image courtesy: http://goo.gl/y6qiQQ)

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policy of Janpratinidhi.
The views expressed here are those of the authors and doesn’t reflect the official
policy of Janpratinidhi.